The North District Bandits: Kid Dillinger

Kid Dillinger adjusted his fedora then his tie. He looked across the alley, scoping out his target: The National Back Alley Bank. An operation of several rich kids, obviously, there was plenty of cash and baseball cards for the taking. Jewelery, too, there had to be some in the back vault, there always was. As always about four girls worked their counters, handing out and taking money. The manager was in the back, he was the one that knew the lock combinations.1

It was a slow day, very few people were there. Perfect. He had planned this all the way down to the last detail.2

On the very back wall a poster of Betty Boop. "Boop," he said then thew his signature askant smirk. "I love you Betty Boop!"3

That was to be his prime target.4

"All set boys?" he asked, looking around the Model A.5

Red Jones, Stinky Boy Stan and Mad Dog Miller nodded and readied their Tommy Paintball Guns.6

"L-l-let's do this," hissed Mad Dog, eye and lip twitching uncontrollably.7

Kid Dillinger pulled him by Mad Dog's scarf then got into his face. "So help me, Mad Dog, if you shoot any more innocent bystanders you're OUT of the gang. GOT IT?"8

"G-got, boss!" he stuttered.9

Kid Dillinger watched him a moment. He knew Mad Dog wasn't stuttering out of fear of him. It was his unstable mental condition, Mad Dog didn't know fear. A total loose cannon but they blew their cash on women and Apple Juice, they need an infusion of cash. And quick. This is why he had no choice.10

"Just hold it together," he said sternly then turned.11

They opened the doors, everyone save Red, the driver, exited. They quickly walked towards the bank, turning several times to scan for G-Kids. They entered the bank, leaving Stinky out front, the lookout...12

"Nobody move!" yelled Kid Dillinger. 13

Mad Dog sprayed paint-balls into the ear. "Down on the ground, now!" he screamed. "If ya don't wannna paint-ball sandwich!" His eye twitched as he giggled maniacally...14

Patrons screamed and fell to the floor. Kid Dillinger closed his eyes at the unnecessary show of force. They snapped open. "Be cool," he said softly. "Just get this done..." "You!" He threw a sack at a counter girl then another at the manager. "Start filling if you don't want to get full of paint!"15

He looked at a small pile of cash and coins on the counter. He looked a boy laying below on the ground, face down.16

"You! Is this your cash?"17

"Yes," replied the frightened kid, not looking up.18

He gathered it up the placed it in his hand. "Put it away, kid. We're here for the bank's money, not yours."19

With a gun to the back of his head the manager opened the safe. Mad Dog shoved him to the ground then started jumping around, hooting the whole of the time...20

A counter girl's hands shook, just a little, as she filled a sack.21

"Take it easy, doll," he said then winked. "The money ain't yours. Just fill the sack and it'll soon be all over. Nothing to fear so long as you do as you're told."22

"It's not you," she whispered then looked at Mad Dog. "It's him. He scares me."23

He threw his askant smirk. "He'll scare any sane kid. All the better reason to hurry up, yes?"24

She nodded and filled.25

Done Kid Dillinger secured his loot then bowed politely. "Thank you, ma'am. Try not to let this ruin your day." He stopped. "Oh. I almost forgot about Betty."26

He made his way towards the poster...27

A familiar voice from outside: "You're surrounded Dillinger! Come out with your hands in the air or we'll fill you full of paint!"28

He dashed to the door and looked out. Three more Model A's were parked in the alley, Red and Stinky were on the ground with paint-ball gats pointed to their heads. Ambushed, they knew they were coming. He could see Alvin taking cover behind a car.29

"Give it up, Dillinger!" he called across the alley.30

"G-Kids," hissed Kid Dillinger as he ducked back into the bank. "Mad Dog! Grab a girl! We'll use them as a shield and then-"31

"I'll take as many of you," screamed Mad Dog, rushing outside, "out of The Game as I can!"32

"Mad Dog, No!-"33

Mad Dog raised his Tommy Paint Gun then fired...34

Chaos descended as people screamed and took cover under tables. BB's and paint-balls were splatting everywhere. Kid Dillinger ducked then ran behind a counter, firing blindly outside...35

He saw Mad Dog fall to a hail of paint-balls, dead to The Game...36

Kid Dillinger was both outgunned and outnumbered. On his own. He looked at a counter girl. Hostage. His only hope, he had escaped this way before. He crept towards her, firing over the counter...37

He was hit from behind, he fell, dropping his gun. He thought a paint-ball had found its mark, that it was finally curtains for Kid Dillinger...38

But there was no sting, there was no red paint.39

Several hands grabbed his arms then secured them behind his back. "Gotcha," hissed Alvin into his ear. "Its off to Jeuvey for you!"40

"All I wanted," he said as was hauled to his feet, "was the poster of Betty Boop."41

"I'll have one sent for you in your Jeuvey cell," said Alvin with a smirk. "After that it's the firing squad for you, you're out of The Game for good!"42

Kid Dillinger smirked his askant smirk as he was led away...